The Metropolitan Police have formally apologized to comedy writer and activist Graham Linehan, admitting to the significant distress caused by his arrest in September 2025. The detention, which occurred at Heathrow Airport upon his return from Arizona, involved five armed officers and centered on social media posts made by Linehan on X. These posts were investigated under the Public Order Act for potential incitement of hatred.
As part of the resolution, the police force has agreed to a reported settlement of £25,000. Linehan, currently residing in Arizona, noted that these funds would support his ongoing efforts. While the Met issued an initial apology in May, this secondary acknowledgment and financial settlement follow the decision to drop the investigation entirely.
The incident led to medical concerns at the time, with officials transporting Linehan to a hospital due to blood pressure issues. Following the arrest, the police reclassified the matter as a non-crime hate incident, a category of recording that the Met later announced they would stop investigating to prioritize criminal matters. The Free Speech Union, which backed Linehan during the claim, praised the outcome but criticized the initial decision to make an arrest, with Lord Toby Young urging police to focus on street safety rather than online expression.
